Can Artificial Intelligence help with mental health issues?
13.11.2026
You may be struggling to find the right therapist, or need help faster than you can set up a counselling appointment.
Many of us - especially the young - are turning to chatbots such as Gemini, Claude or ChatGPT who seem like understanding listeners.
After all, if we are using AI as a conversation partner for advice and to discuss problems, why not mental health conditions too?
But that comes with limitations and risks. We checked with psychologists who were clear that AI is no substitute for psychological help from a person.
Why do people turn to AI with mental health problems?
It depends on where you live, of course, but in Germany, say, anyone looking for a place on a therapy programme has to wait an average of 20 weeks, says Christiane Eichenberg, head of the Institute for Psychosomatics at Sigmund Freud Private University in Vienna.
That gap in care is by no means the sole reason for the popularity of chatbots, says Eichenberg, a psychologist and author of a book about Artificial Intelligence and Psychotherapy.
"They are available round the clock and are non-judgemental. We can communicate with them without having to fear judgement or stigma."
Also, talking to a computer or phone makes it easier for many people to open up. "You feel less pressure to put on a brave face and can express feelings such as sadness more intensely," says Eichenberg.
How do general chatbots differ from mental health applications?
Some people turn to general chatbots to discuss their everyday stress, feelings or anxieties.
However, there are also AI-based chatbots and applications that have developed specifically with a focus on mental health and are designed to help users reflect on their emotions, overcome fears or manage stress.
Unlike general chatbots, depending on where you are, you may find AI-based mental health programmes. Some have been scientifically evaluated and operate based on a clinically validated treatment protocol.
"The effects are comparable to those of psychotherapy when the systems have been used for four to eight weeks according to the research available so far," says Eichenberg. However, it remains unclear how stable and long-lasting these effects are.
Can chatbots really help with mental health issues?
An attentive, caring and always-available listener - "For most of us, that’s appealing at first,” says Kevin Hilbert, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Health and Medical University of Erfurt (HMU).
Initial studies suggest that the use of artificial intelligence for mild psychological distress may be more effective than doing nothing at all.
It is precisely in such cases that the systems may help by empowering users, helping them organise their thoughts and supporting them in their self-reflection. “Initial studies have also shown quite good results when it comes to anxiety, high stress or early symptoms of depression,” says Hilbert.
Overall, however, there is not yet enough research to draw definitive conclusions. Specialist therapeutic chatbots may be particularly useful for bridging waiting times or to complement traditional therapy, Eichenberg says. “They can support self-management, serve as a training ground – for role-play, for example – or provide valuable real-time support in acute stressful situations.”
What are the limitations?
“The bots are no substitute for psychotherapy,” Eichenberg underlines.
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